MORE than 7,000 people in Bromsgeove and Wychavon, which includes Droitwich, could face a benefits freeze by 2020 according to The Children’s Society.
The charity revealed on Tuesday that the debate in Parliament on the Welfare Reform and Work Bill could see 7,100 households which receive working tax credit, child tax credits and jobseekers allowance could lose up to £9,000 a year if changes go ahead.
About 17,400 children in working and unemployed families across the two areas are expected to be affected and the society is concerned they will fall into poverty and life will become harder for already struggling families.
Rob Willoughby, area director for The Children’s Society in the West Midlands, said: “Austerity has hit families hard, including those in work. Further cuts to support would push more children into poverty and undermine incentives for families to move into work or earn more. Families on low incomes across the West Midlands are facing a barrage of cuts. If ministers are genuinely concerned about child poverty they must reconsider plans to freeze benefits over the next four years.
“At the very least, the Government needs to guarantee there will be no further cuts when the Chancellor delivers his budget next month.”
